est philosophy
of devotion in the simplest phrases.

It is evident that He expected that the age which Pentecost was to
inaugurate, and to which He so frequently refers as "in that day,"
would in a special sense be the Age of Prayer. Mark how frequently in
this last discourse He refers to it--(xiv. 13, 14; xv. 7, 16; xvi. 24,
26). Clearly the infilling of the Holy Spirit has a special bearing on
the prayerfulness of the individual and the Church. But this will
unfold as we proceed.

I. THE PRAYING CHRIST.--"I will pray the Father." It is true that He
sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, because He had
completed the work for which He became man. That session indicated a
finished atonement. As the Father rested from the work of creation, so
the Son entered into His rest, having ceased from the work of
redemption, so far as it could be effected in His death, resurrection,
and ascension. But as in His rest the Father worked in Providence,
sustaining that which He had created, so did the Saviour continue to
work after He had entered into His Sabbath-keeping.

We have already dealt with one branch of His twofold activity, in _His
work through those who believe_. The greater works which the risen
Saviour has been, and is, achieving through His people bear witness to
the perpetual energy streaming from His life in the azure depths. "The
apostles," Mark tells us, "went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord
working with them, and confirming their word with signs following."

The other branch of His twofold ministry is _His intercession on our
behalf_. He says, "I will pray the Father" for you.

(1) What a contrast to the assertions which we have already pondered of
His oneness with the Father, and to His assurance in almost the same
breath that He would Himself answer His people's prayers! It is
inexplicable, save on the hypothesis that He has a dual nature, by
virtue of which, on the one hand, He is God, who answers prayer, and on
the other the Son of Man, who pleads as the Head and Representative of
a redeemed race.

(2) It is, however, in harmony with Old Testament symbolism. The High
Priest often entered the Presence of God with the names of the people
on his breast, the seat of love, and on his shoulder, the seat of
power; and once a year, with a bowl of blood and sprig of thyme in his
hands, pleaded for the entire nation. What more vivid portrayal could
there be of the ceaseless interce